Liverpool Transfers: 4 Alternatives to Clint Dempsey

Fuel was added to the fire when reports revealed that the American did not travel to Switzerland for the club's preseason training camp. The decision created speculation that the forward could be attempting to facilitate a move to the Anfield club.

The rumor mill picked up even more steam when further reports (Goal.com) revealed that the clubs were discussing a potential part-exchange deal involving Charlie Adam or Stewart Downing.

Needless to say, Clint Dempsey could well be on his way to putting on a Liverpool shirt.

However, as with any transfer dealing, it very well could fall through. In this event, Liverpool will still need a right-sided player to provide lethal attack down that flank.

Let's take a look at four alternatives to Clint Dempsey, should a deal fail to materialize.

Gaston Ramirez

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First of all—yikes! Imagine that smile beaming up at the Kop.

Liverpool have been linked with the young Uruguayan from Bologna all summer, but nothing has solidified in terms of moving forward with a transfer.

According to Metro, Ramirez's agent was in England as late as last week to discuss a move to the Premier League. However, since then, no news has surfaced in relation to those talks.

The 21-year-old is highly rated in Italy. His pace and skill helped Bologna to a ninth-place finish in Serie A in 2011-12. He would join countrymen Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates at Anfield.

The youngster is no stranger to first-team football, having made 28 starts for Bologna last season. He has also shown an eye for goal with eight goals from the wing.

Adam Johnson

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Adam Johnson appears to have followed in the footsteps of Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz and Owen Hargreaves and become an outcast in the blue half of Manchester.

Despite making 26 appearances for the club in the Premier League last season, only 10 of them were starts.

In those appearances, Johnson scored only six goals.

A move to Liverpool might be the change of scenery Johnson needs. City doesn't utilize him to his full potential, while the Reds need a pacy dribbler on the right wing to complement Suarez on the left and Gerrard in the middle.

With that being said, Johnson recently told the club's official website that he wants to stay in Manchester and fight for a starting spot (via Goal.com).

Good luck to him.

Theo Walcott

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Last week, I wrote an article on how Liverpool should "break the bank" to sign Walcott.

Perhaps "break the bank" was the wrong phrase to use.

However, Walcott would add a dimension of pace out on the wing that Liverpool have lacked. It's his lack of a solid football IQ that has most fans up in arms about a potential transfer.

If Walcott comes to Liverpool having been told that he is a piece of the new foundation at the club, his decision-making and overall footballing skill may improve as he takes on more of a leadership role.

Perhaps the risk is too big.

You can read the article about Walcott by clicking the link above.

Miralem Sulejmani

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Miralem Sulejmani plays for Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie and might be one of the best young players you've never heard of.

Only 23 years old, Sulejmani scored 10 goals in only 16 appearances for the Dutch giants last season. In doing so, he has shown that he has the kind of goal-scoring flair that Liverpool lacked last season.

He has blistering pace, he spreads the field and shows a keen eye for the perfect pass.

He is my personal favorite alternative to Clint Dempsey.

What do you think? Who would you like to see in a Liverpool shirt on the wing? Let me know in the comments section.